The apology by husband and wife dentists, Edmond O'Flaherty and Clodagh Myers, was part of a High Court settlement of a negligence case brought against them Madeline Feerick-Swift (63) from Kiltimagh in Co Mayo.

It was claimed Ms Myers, of the Murray Myers clinic in Bray, Co Wicklow, was negligent in carrying out surgery for fitted implants and restoration teeth to replace dentures which Ms Feerick-Swift had fitted many years ago.

She claimed Mr O'Flaherty, of the Seapoint Clinic, Fairview, Dublin, was negligent in his treatment after she was referred to him by Ms Myers to deal with her pain.

She said he carried out surgery to remove one of the implants but that was excruciatingly painful and had no effect on her persistent chronic pain.

She only learned later the two dentists were engaged to be married to each other at that time.

She said after "numerous ineffectual attempts" by Mr O'Flaherty to resolve the problems she was referred to pain specialists in St Vincents Hospital, Dublin.

There, she said, her injuries were diagnosed as resulting from Ms Myers original surgery. She has been advised her chronic pain is permanent with highly restricted options for palliative relief.

She has also been advised she would have to travel to Belgium for further treatment as it is not available in Ireland.

Yesterday, Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanlon was told that following talks the matter had been settled against the two dentists, with actions against the clinics struck out, on the basis of an apology being read out in court.

It stated: "The defendants wish to apologise unreservedly for the pain and suffering they have caused Ms Feerick-Swift and earnestly hope the settlement of this action will bring her some consolation for the pain and suffering caused."

In her statement of claim, Ms Feerick-Swift said during pre-surgery discussions in July 2008, Ms Myers told her while she would experience some pain and discomfort after the implants were initially inserted, this would dissipate and the restoration teeth could then be inserted.

The whole process would take a few months and Ms Myers assured her she "would be eating steak by Christmas 2008".